Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

America, Listen And Live! A Special Lutheran Hour Address, Oswald C. Hoffmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

It is not my purpose to comment on the political results of Mr. Khruschchev's visit to the United States. I am a firm adherent of the doctrine of two realms, limiting the spheres of church and state. It is a Biblical truth, as well as a fact of human history, that God rules in both realms, although He does so in different ways.

The Theology Of Synagog Architecture (As Reflected In The Excavation Reports), Martin H. Scharlemann

Concordia Theological Monthly

The origins of the synagog are lost in the obscurity of the past. There seem to be adequate reasons for believing that this religious institution did not exist in pre-Exilic times. Whether, however, the synagog came into being during the dark years of the Babylonian Captivity, or whether it dates back only to the early centuries after the return of the Jews to Palestine, is a matter of uncertainty. The oldest dated evidence we have for the existence of a synagog was found in Egypt in 1902 and consists of a marble slab which records the dedication of such a …

Theology And Science, Paul M. Bretscher

Concordia Theological Monthly

Less than a generation ago most people noted in science only its immediate anthropological implication. They argued whether man was descended from simian stock or, regardless of his ancestry, whether he was the inevitable outcome of predetermining causes. In either case the concept of God was next to irrelevant, and Christian theology seemed on its way out.

Toward An Evangelical Philosophy Of Science: The Historical And Recent Background, Oscar T. Walle

Concordia Theological Monthly

The general title of our discussions indicates that we are interested in the search for a unifying discipline or point of view which may bridge or fuse what Carl Henry calls. "the cleavage between science and religion . . . one of the defacing characteristics of our culture." This author ably states the case when he says, "Evangelical theology, if it is to make a major contribution to synthesis, must propound a Christian philosophy of science tracing the implications of the sovereignty of God for all branches of science." It is the purpose of this presentation to call attention to …

Karl Heim: Panentheism And The Space Of God, Robert C. Whittmore

Concordia Theological Monthly

Such is the secularism of our century and our society that whoever today wishes to raise the question of God must first find someone interested. Theology in our time is largely a talking of priests and theologians to themselves and a handful of philosophers. Religion is universally tolerated and widely ignored; occasionally it is discussed-dispassionately. But the rest is silence. Rare indeed is the person who now takes religion seriously enough to denounce it. The militant atheist and the anticlerical of earlier ages are gone, and in their place is the serene secularist, secure in the conviction "that he alone …

Do We Need Another Reformation?, Lewis W. Spitz

Concordia Theological Monthly

In view of the tremendous progress of our age in all areas of human endeavor and the problems it has created, the question has been asked: "Do we need another Reformation?" After all, nearly four and a half centuries have passed since Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg.

The Christian Answer To The Ethical Problem: A Study Of Catechism Question Number 170, Dale E. Griffin

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Reformation doctrine of justification by faith without the deeds of the Law has been frequently questioned and declared to be injurious to the moral and ethical lives of the children of God.

Now And Forever, Paul M. Bretscher

Concordia Theological Monthly

In this anniversary year of Handel's death (1759) the thrilling refrain in that composer's Hallelujah Chorus: "And He shall reign forever and ever," even today challenges Christians to rise to their feet as did the vast audience in Dublin which heard the first rendition of that powerful chorus.

Biblical Presuppositions For Church Discipline, Herbert J. Bouman

Concordia Theological Monthly

Speak unto all the congregation of the Children of Israel and say unto them, Ye shall be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy." (Lev. 19:2)

In this brief statement may be found a comprehensive outline of the revelation of God in the Scriptures and of the engrossing story of God's ways and dealings with men.

Christian Love According To 1 Cor. 13, George Klien

Concordia Theological Monthly

The cry for love is heard today particularly in connection with the union movements.

The appeal to the principle of love in the life and work of the church is certainly in order within the Christian communion. It is well that we beseech all our brethren by the mercies of God to have fervent charity among themselves, whether in correcting those who would put a "strait jacket of legalism" on the church, or in rebuking those who would license the church to appear in the daring dress of "evangelical" liberalism. The admonition to evidence love has always been needed; the …

Theology And Love, Richard R. Caemmerer

Concordia Theological Monthly

Two customs of thought have tended to erect, if not a barrier, at least a filter between theology and Christian life.

The one is the hoary distinction between the "doctrinal" and the "practical" portions of the epistles - as though the apostles were "teaching" less strenuously when they were shaping the life and behavior of their readers than when they were discussing their faith. The other is the theologically more recent distinction between kerygma and didache and the assumption that when a preacher wants to save people, he tells them about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; when he …

Luther And Sanctification, Philip S. Watson

Concordia Theological Monthly

In a volume of sermons which he published in 1788, John Wesley took occasion to repeat a criticism of Luther that he had first made after reading his commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians many years before. "It has frequently been observed," he says, "that very few were clear in their judgment both with regard to justification and sanctification"; and he cites Luther as an example. "Who," he asks, "has wrote more ably than Martin Luther on justification by faith alone? And who was more ignorant of the doctrine of sanctification, or more confused in his conceptions of it?" …

Faith Healing: A Discussion, Edward J. Mahnke

Concordia Theological Monthly

Is it right to promise health or material advantage to people who practice a religious life? This question is basic to the considerations involved in the practice of faith healing.

Man threatened by foreign powers, missiles, disaster plans. evacuation routes, tossed back and forward by doctrines of every kind, finds himself shaken. He is uncertain about God. He needs health and money to maintain control of his life and future. In Deut. 8:17, 18 the Lord insists that He is the source of all goodness. But He also warns man not to think of God as a resource by which …

What Luther Says: A Review, Theodore Hoyer

Concordia Theological Monthly

The last 80 years have seen a great revival of interest in Reformation history and as a result an ever-increasing research in the facts of those times. Its beginning came with the preparations for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Luther's birth in 1883. More especially, however, this new Luther and Reformation research was launched by those who were opposed to Luther and to Protestantism in general. They knew what this celebration would initiate: literature describing, defending, promoting Protestant interests. In order to meet and to stop this, they did-the very best they could to promote it!

The Arnoldshain Theses On The Lord's Supper, Paul M. Bretscher

Concordia Theological Monthly

We are herewith submitting a translation of the Arnoldsbainer Abendmahlsthesen, followed by some concluding observations. These theses are the net result of discussions regarding the meaning of the Lord's Supper carried on between 1947 and 1957 by a commission of Lutheran, Reformed, and Union theologians representing the Evangelical Church of Germany. These theologians formulated and approved the theses after many deliberations November 1 and 2, 1957.

Confession Of Faith Of The Huria Kristen Batak Protestant, Dagny Ohlekopf

Concordia Theological Monthly

This Confession of Faith of the H. K. B. P. is the continuation of the confessions (creeds) already existing, namely, the three confessions of faith (creeds) which were already known to our Christian forefathers.

The Batak Protestant Christian Church, Jospeh Ellwanger

Concordia Theological Monthly

When the Batak Protestant Christian Church in Indonesia applied for membership in the Lutheran World Federation in 1951, one of the largest Christian church bodies in the non-West was catapulted out of relative obscurity into a limelight position on the stage of world Lutheranism. Some were quick to question the Lutheran character of the Batak Church. Chiefly they asked these questions: How can the Batak Church be Lutheran when it was founded by the Rhenish Mission Society, a combination of Lutheran and Reformed elements? And how can the Batak Church be Lutheran when it has not officially adopted the 16th-century …

A Lutheran Contribution To The Present Discussions On The Lord’S Supper, Hermann Sasse

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Lord's Supper has again become one of the main issues among the churches of Christendom as well as within individual denominations. This is the result of two movements which, though deeply rooted in the 19th century, have shaped the life of all Christendom since the beginning of this century: the Liturgical and the Ecumenical Movement. Since the deepest motive underlying both is what has been called "the awakening of the Church in the souls," future church historians may regard them as branches of one great movement which, like all great movements in the Western Church (Reformation, Pietism, Rationalism, etc.), …